Cheap skiing holidays

[joy]

Can anyone recommend companies that will do a cheap skiing holiday for me ? Basically I am in college, and I really want to go skiing in the Alps. But the money is something that I am lacking. If anyone was looking for a part time baby sitter, in return for a holiday in the snow let me know !


Failing that if you have any ideas on how I can get to the snow for as cheap as possible do let me know !

I'm guessing if I organise something now, it will be cheaper than looking in November right ?

[cheaptraveller]

Can anyone recommend companies that will do a cheap skiing holiday for me ? Basically I am in college, and I really want to go skiing in the Alps. But the money is something that I am lacking. If anyone was looking for a part time baby sitter, in return for a holiday in the snow let me know !


Failing that if you have any ideas on how I can get to the snow for as cheap as possible do let me know !

I'm guessing if I organise something now, it will be cheaper than looking in November right ?

I am not sure about companies that offer the whole package but there is a site which definitely has a bunch of dead cheap hotels and french hostel accommodations listed and there is also some options where you can compare deals from different consolidators. Check it out and let me know. Les Alpes have the best and highest moutains until late spring and early september. Snow is great up there you wont believe. Last time I had a 4 days snowboard trip, made even a movie of it, with a bunch of friends from Amsterdam, Holland. Second time that I have been there.!! Recommend this reagion strongly!
CT.

[Rozov]

Hi Joy,
if you can a group together a lot of places will give a discount or free place to the group leader, and you'll have some mates to ski with!
Victoria

[john510]

It's amazing that so many people want cheap skiing holidays. In fact skiing is not a cheap sport ! Equipment, ski passes, accomodation are all at premium prices, as the market knows that they can demand it.

When I think of booking a €600 week holiday I think more about the conditions of the resort and how many slopes they have. The difference between a €600 holiday and a €400 holiday could be emmense. It could mean skiing on rocks at a resort with only drag lifts (think here Bulgaria) or it could be on fresh snow (real or fake) with many runs and lifts (think Whistler).

If you can't afford to go skiing every year, why not save up and do it every second year and do it properly !

[Neiltoo]

Can anyone recommend companies that will do a cheap skiing holiday for me ?

Hi Joy

One of the cheapest places Ive stayed in is the Chalet Chardon in Tignes Les Breviere. Its basically a regular ski chalet that does budget group holidays but if they have space they will sell beds to individuals. Most rooms are dorms with 6 or so beds. Food is ok and included in the weekly rate (which is pretty cheap - and the longer you stay the cheaper the weekly rate is). The location is great with some of the best skiing/boarding in the world and you will never be short of someone to ski/board with at the Chardon

I took some time off about 5 years back and stayed there for 2 months. Its basic but really good value.

Chalet Chardons (http://www.chaletchardons.com)

I'm not sure where you are based but you can fly to Geneva from Dublin or Belfast (Belfast flights wont start till mid Dec.) or try to get a cheap charter flight seat to Chambery or Grenoble. Tignes is pretty easy to get to from all the regions airports by bus.

Lift pass in Tignes isnt the cheapest by any means but the ski area is huge and awesome!

I'm sure that there are similar places in other resorts, this just happens to be one I know about

Its run by an English couple so its easy to email or phone for more info.

[Joanneh]

First of all try to get somewhere that is not one of the big package holiday spots. Last year we spent a week in Sestriere in Italy, in chalet apartments. It worked out about €400 each, it was in late March, the snow was perfect and the resort was fine. The amount of blues were fairly limited but all in all it was a good place to go. Ryanair have a page on their website where they profile all the resorts that are near their flight destinations. You should have a browse there. You can get reasonably priced accommodation on www.europe-mountains.com (http://www.europe-mountains.com) or www.booking.com (http://www.booking.com) .

[kid101]

I was looking at Aerlingus today, flying to Munich from Cork, but I did hit one snag, the price to bring your own pair of skis or snowboard is €60, which I guess is a little on the steep side, seeing as the flight is only €110.

Just so you know if you are flying aerlingus they do have a charge for ski equipment.

[john510]

and another tip, now is the time of year to be doing the booking. Don't leave it to the last minute !

[Brian]

Well you could always just take a trip to Kilternan and pretend that you are in the Alps ;)

I've found some savings buy shopping around, like have an idea where you want to go and then ask the companies about that particular place. Most of the companies use the same system, so they will typically have the same costs plus or minus say 10%.

The only other way to get around this is to book everything yourself and look for a private chalet. I do know that there are even some Irish people who own and rent them out. Check the papers, and now would be the time of year that people would start to advertise them.